GS2 PYQ 2017 (Mains Answer Writing): ECOSOC | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. (UPSC GS2 2017)

United Nations ECOSOC is one of the six principle organs of UN having 54 members based on geographic representation. It is responsible for coordinating the economic, social, and related work of 15 UN specialised agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions.
Main functions are

• It is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as for implementation of the internationally agreed development goals. 
• It serves as the central mechanism for the activities of the United Nations system and its specialized agencies, and supervises the subsidiary and expert bodies in the economic, social and environmental fields. 
• It engages a wide variety of stakeholders - policymakers, parliamentarians, academics, major groups, foundations, business sector representatives and 3200+ NGOs - in a productive dialogue on sustainable development. 
• Its annual high- level segment includes High Level Political Forum that provides political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development, and development Cooperation Forum that reviews trends and progress in development cooperation.

The different functional commissions attached to it are

• UN Commission for Social Development- Its purpose is to advise ECOSOC on social policies of a general character and, in particular, on all matters in the social field not covered by the specialised intergovernmental agencies. It is also in charge of the follow up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. 
• UN Human Rights Council- It is an intergovernmental body that addresses human rights-related situations in all UN member states. The UNHRC also addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women's rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities. 
• Commission on Narcotic Drugs- is the central drug policy-making body within the United Nations system. 
• UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development- IT provides high-level advice on relevant issues through analysis and appropriate policy recommendations on science and technology. 
• Commission on Sustainable Development- It is tasked with overseeing the outcomes of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development/Earth Summit. 
• UN Commission on the Status of Women- It is a global intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality, and empowering women. 
• UN Statistical Commission- It promotes the development of national statistics and the improvement of their comparability and coordinates the statistical work of specialized agencies.

Topics Covered - UNECOSOC